Chain



Dec. 19 1944'. H. H.'VANDERZEE 2,365,228

CHAIN Filed Aug. 2e, 1941 Patented Dec. 19, l1944 CHAIN.

Harryn. vander-zee, Michigan city, Indi., assigner to Sullivan MachineryCompany, w corporation of- Massachusetts Application. August 2s, 1941,.serial. No.. 468,669 1s claims. '(ol.' 74 z54) i This invention relatesto. pivotal connections. for interconnecting the adjacent links.A of achain, and more particularly to sucha connection for the linksof acutter chain adapted. for use' with a mining machine.

It. is necessary, practically'speaking, that the pivotal connection forthe'links of a` cutter chainA for coal cutting machines be constructedof ma.. terial which is capable ofwithstanding during longI periods oftime the shearing stresses to which they are subjected by the loads on.the chain. And since the loads on the chain are heavy, as they are on acutter chain for a mining machine, the pivot members. for thelinks ofthechain must be constructed of a material. which is so. hard that it cannotbe easilyshaped, after thev members are inserted in thechain,.to.ho1d them. in place.

An. object of the invention is to provide anVimprovedfpivotalf.connection for the links cfa chain'. Another object isto providean improvedconnecting link structure'in which the connectingmember is made of a hardv and wear resistant material. Still anotherobject is -to providean improved pivot member for connecting the linksofa cutter chain, and to provide improved means-, associated therewith,for locking said pivot mem.` ber against movement relative to one of.said links. Still another object is to. provide anim-f provedconnectingvlink structure for a .cutter chain,l including. a pivot memberextendingi through. openings adjacent the ends 'of the chain. links,and. means forlocking said pivot member in a position so that the latterpresents a smoothv unbroken surface to the links at points wheref theload is applied;` Al still further object-of.r the invention is toprovide an improved pivotal con.-v nectionior theelemen-ts oi a: chain,ypossessing the capacity. simply. butgsurely tothe1 locked, inI placebut,yet. readily releasable whenthi's isnec-n essary... Other objectsandadvantageseof thefin-` ventionwill, howeveia, hereinafter. more full-yyappear. Y

theaccompanying. drawing` there, are showin for purposes of.illustration. one form: andi.. twa modicationswhichtheginventionmay,assumein. practice... j

In the drawingz. Y l

Fig. 1 is a. side.y elevationaLview of aeportionc of. a.l cutter chaininwhich my.. immoved'pivotal` connection is incorporated.

Fig. Zeis an enlarged. horizontal. sectional. view taken on theplane of.theline 2 2t of lFig;V 1;.

Fig.. 3 afragmentarv sectional view1V taken..

ontheline. 3--3 of Fig..2.

l Fia...4.is.faviewinelevation of the locking mem'- ber` for. the.pivotal connection inunbent condition... Y

Fig. 5 is an edge view of the lockingmember.

5 bent for insertion or withdrawal. v

v Fig.6\. is. a. fragmentaryy sectional view onL a plane`correspond-ing. to that of Fig. 2f showing a l modification. o

Figwl is another. fragmentary sectional.v view on a similar planevshowing a. further modification.

, Referringv to the drawing, and at rst to Figs. 1

, to inclusivethereof, it willbe noted that lthere islshown a. cutterclf'iain,v generallyv designated l, comprising., bit.. carrying chainvelements or links 2, and chain elements or. linkmembers. 4 pivotallyconnectedto the links 2. by pivotal connections leg portions I2 Whicharespaced from each other as shown in Fig.. 2, andv whichv extend parallelto 30 the .path of movement of the. chain. Ther side plates l2 extend.beyond the ends of thelug por.- tion andare provided,v attheirends, withabutV ment portions |'4 which are adapted to abut similar portionsonthe. side plates of adjacent` bit. carryingl links for limiting theturning of these links about their. pivots in. one'direction to.positions in Which-.the links arein alinement with each, other. Theendsof the side plates -are-cut away below the. abutmentfportions: I4,as shown at l5, topermit the bit-carrying links to swing.

about their. pivots inthe: opposite direction and to. conform.. tolacutter chain driving'v sprocket (not shownl.. Formed in the side platesl2 adjacenttheir endsarealined bores or openings I6- 4.5.4 forAreceiving' atubular -pivot member `or pivot pin-.I1 of. oneot tlievpivotal connections 6; They link members `llextendbetween thesidefplates |2`,. and. a bore. or opening I8is provided adjacenteachend.of eachmember 4 for receiving the pivot member l1.. It willbeunderstood, however, that my improved pivotal connectionmay be used tofadvantageiuany', chain.- link.. assembly in which*V a `pivotalconnectionis to: be-stablished.

The pivot member l1 ofi each pivotalzconnecwition Spas illustrated in:Figs, 1, 2* and` 3, is'. a-

ing its bottom of the same curvature as the inner wall of the tubularpivot member I1. It will be understood that this arc may be formed on adifferent radius or of different curvature if desired without departing.from my invention in its broader aspects, but the construction shown isdesirable for reasons which will later ap pear. The opening or recess 22is formed in the rearward wall of the opening |6so that the pivot memberpresents a smooth unbroken surface to the forward wall of the opening I6when the pivot member is turned to a position with its opening or bore20 communicating with the recess 22, thereby providing a strongerconstruction which is better able to carry the heavy loads on the chain.f

The locking member 2| is shown here as having a rectangular shaped crosssection and rounded ends 24 which are of the same curvature as the innerwall of the sleeve-shaped pivot member I'I and the slot 22. This lockingmember is desirably made of a tough material which may be readilydeformed without fracture, such as wrought iron or mild steel. Tointerconnect the chain links, the tubular `pivot member I 'I is passedthrough the alined openings I 6 in the side plates |2 of the bitcarryinglink, and through an opening I8 in one of the links 4. The member |`I ispositioned so that the axis of its opening or bore 20 is alined with thecenter of the arcuate recess 22 in the side plate I2. vThe lockingmember 2| is then bent as shown in Fig. 5, and one of its ends is passedthrough the opening 20 and into the opening provided by the recess 22,so that it will occupy the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Themember 2| is then bent into its straightened position shown in fulllines in Fig. 2, and the length of the member 2| may desirably be chosenso that the end of the member opposite the recess 22 engages the innerwall of the sleeve-shaped member` I1 and, to avoid looseness, the lengthof the locking member 2| may be advantageously made such that it will beunder longitudinal compression when in the position' shown in full linesin Figs. 2 and 3. Since the locking member 2| extends through .theo'pening 2t and has its ends in'engagement with the inner wall of thetubular pivot member and with the arcuate wallof the recess V22respecsides of the recess 22 and with the walls of the opening 20 in thepivot member prevents bodily movement of the pivot member transverselyrelative to the chain links. If it is desired to remove the lockingmember 2| a rod may be extended through the sleeve-shaped pivot member`and which time it may be removed from the recess 22.V

It will be appreciated that the pivot member or pin II need not betubular, but may, as shown in Fig. 6, be in the form of a cylindricalbody 25 having a bore or recess 26 in the end which is to be used forlocking connection to the bit-carrying link; and that the radial opening20 may be formed in the same relation to the pin, through the annular.wall 21 surrounding the bore 26, as in the preferred embodiment of theinvention. A longitudinally extending passage 28 is provided for thereception of a drift when the locking element 2| is to be bent to permitdisconnection of the chain.

It will also be observed that the end of the locking element need not beheld, by reason of its relation to the inner surface of the pivotelement I7. Instead, a pivot element or pin I'I, as shown in Fig. '1,which may be otherwise identical with the element I'I, may have a slotor recess formed in its end opposite the radial opening `2|), 'as at 29,and the locking element may be made somewhat longer and when in itsstraightened condition may be prevented, as shown ir! Fig. 7, fromescape by abutment with the wall of the bore |55.

As a result of this invention there is provided an improved chain, andan improved means for pivotally connecting the links of a chain. Thepivot member for the connection may be constructed of material havingany desired degree of hardness, thereby assuring a long life for'theconnection and a decrease in the frequency and expense of repairing thechain. The

links of the chain may be easily interconnected,

and the connecting member is positively locked in place until it isdesired to disconnect the links, at which time the locking means may beeasily released. While the locking member is shown entering an openingin the bit-carrying links it will be evident it could, if desired, bearranged so that the member I1 would be held rigidly with respect to theconnecting links 4 simply by forming the recess 22 in the link 4 andlocating the slot 20 in the member I7 so that it would fall opposite thenew position oi the recess 22,. Other advantages will be apparent tothose skilled in the art.

A While there are in this application speciiically describedthree formswhich the invention may assume in practice, it will `be understood thatthese forms of the same are shown for purposesv tubular pivot memberextending through said` openings, and means for locking said pivotvmember Within said openings includinga recess'` formed in one of saidchain links and extending through the wall of the opening therein, an

opening through the side of said tubular pivot,l member, and a lockingmember extending through said last mentioned opening into said recessand abutting at its ends the inner wall i of said tubular pivot memberand the bottom of said recess.

' 2. In a pivotal chain link connection, in combination, chain linkshaving openings in their adjacentends for receiving a pivot member, 'a'

sleeve-shaped pivot member extending through assumes:

. openings;l and'means fonlock-ing said"-z pivot member? Withinsaidopenings` including 'an efr-- cuate recessfformedE one'f of said:`chain' links and` extendingv through the- Wallf of the opening therein,an opening through the side-of"` sleeve-shaped-pivot member,` and-alookingmem' ber extending through saidv lasty mentioned open-- ing intosaid arcuate recess and'l having'rounded endsY pressing againstlthetinner walls.n of said) sleeve-shaped pivotmember' and y of farcuatel recess.

- 3'; In aipivota'l ch`ain= linleconnection'-, combin-ation, chain.Ylinks` having openings their adiacenti` ends for' receiving: af pivotmember, al sleevesl'iaped pivot'f member extending through-v`saidiopenings, andmeans for locking'sai"d.`pivot'y member1 Withinsaidv`openings' including` al slotI formed one of'l said chainA linksfthroughthe Wall'offthe opening thereinY and having'a curved innerfwall,an-opening through theside (if-"said` sleeve-shaped pivot member; andi alocking-member extendingA through# said' last mentioned openir-igtinto=A saidf slotandiihaving curved ends presse ingagainstthecurvedinnerwalls' of said sleeveshapedl pivot' memberf and of''saidslot' 4. In4r a. pivotal chain` link-l connection, ingcom-fbination,cliainlinks having` openings inftheir adjacent ends for receiving a,pivot' member;v a

pivot-:membery extendingthrough said openings' andfhaving at least 1 anannular portionY adjacent onefoff'its ends received'fwithin'one ofTsaid" openings,` andimeans*` for locking-said pivoirmemberA withinsaid@openingsV includinga; recess formed iniv the one of" said links-Whose4 opening receives said' annular porti-onand through the Wall of?rthe opening receiving the-- annular portion of* said pivotl member,saidT recess f having acurved'f' innen Wall;` an` opening thr'oughf thevside-'-ofi-theannular portionl of't saidv pivotmember;v and a links; andmeansifor locking said-pivot'memberA I vvithinr` said openingsA`including aslot formed' in one of said legfportions-through' the walloff'- thev opening therein and having a curved inner wall, an openingextending through the side of said annular pivot member, and a lockingmember extending through said last mentioned opening and having curvedend surfaces firmly engaging the inner Walls of said pivot member and ofsaid slot.

6. In a chain, a link having an opening thereabutment of its other endwith a wall' of saidl hollow'pivot member.

'7. In a chain, a tubular pivot member, a link having an opening toreceive said tubular pivot i member, a slot in the link extendingthrough deformable locking: 'elementiextendingi within saidslot; andi'said' radiali opening, and relatively stationary: surfacesaengageable bythel end surfaces:v off'said lockingfelement. for holding-thelatterwthin said 4,sl'oti and said radial opening;

a... chain, a linkLA having a borek therein, anniv-ot;r piirreceivedfinsaid bore, said pin having-l anvopening adjacent one end thereof` atoneside thereof andiormecll so. that an element re-v ceivedin said:opening: perpendicular toi the axis'- oi' the. pin' may extendcompletelyacross the endloii-'the piti, said link' having a recess opening intoitsborein` liner-,With said opening, and

alocking: element passing through said. opening positelsaid'. opening;and? a locking element tra-'1 vers-ing'saidiopeningandi atitsoppositeends en-v gaging-cthe. bottomv offsaidl second mentioned recess; and theWall'. olii said: rst mentioned recess at: a point opposite. said secondmentioned recess: andi-overlying saidpassage at the point ofVcommunication of the latterr` Withf said ii'rst mentioned recess. i y y10.11113; chain, ailink' element having a bore therein, a, pivot:element received in said f bore; said link; element 'having' a recessopening into; said; bore and said" pivot: pin element hav-- ing openingatfonef' sideA *thereof in radiali alinement with: said recess, va.'locking' memberextending. through; said opening and engaging the;bott'om.oii said recess with one of' its end" surfaces,` and:asurfacelfcn one of said elements engageable by the. other'enclV surfaceof said lockr` ing: member for'pre'cludingfescape of said' lock'-irrgmember.I i

121.'. In. a chain',` ailinkhaving a bore therein, a pivot pinreceivedini said bore,` said pivot pin having; aire'cess'in one end, afpassage extending longitudinally Ofsaidf pin-in eccentric rel-ationthereto: andopeningf intovsaid recess to permit access:` of: afdrittttog theiA bottom` of` said recess,

said: recessfhavingf atwall traversed by a radial A opening and saidlink having a recess opening into said bore opposite said opening, and alocking element traversing said opening and at its opposite endsengaging the bottom of said second mentioned recess and the Wall of saidrst mentioned recess at a point opposite said second mentioned recessand overlying saidpassage at the point of communication of the latterwith said first mentioned recess.

12. In a chain, a link element having an opening therein, a pivot pinelement received in said opening, a recess in said link; elementcommunieatingv with said opening, an opening extending transverselythrough said pivot pin element and communicating with said recess, adeformable locking member extending through said last mentioned openinginto said recess and engaging the bottom of said recess with oneof itsend surfaces, Aand a surface on one of said elements engageable by theother endl surface of saidL ther. 'ozi saith` opening; a radiali`cpenimr.y ini sai'dtubularf pivots member.' ox'iposite'saidl slot,.. a;

`a wall of said last mentioned opening against escape in adirectiontransverse to said member, said locking member and one of saidelements having mutually oppositely facing surfaces engageable with eachother for holding said member against withdrawal from said recess andsaid second mentioned opening when said member is bent to position saidsurfaces opposite each other.

14. In a chain, a link element having an opening therein, a pivotelement received within said opening, said link element having a recesscommunicating with said opening through a wall of the latter and saidpivot element having a recess extending int the portion of said pivotelements received within said opening, and means for locking said pivotelement within said opening including a locking member having one endengageable with the bottom of said first mentioned recess and having itsother end received within said second mentioned recess and engageablewith an oppositely directed surface on oneof said elements.

15. In a chain, a link element having an opening therein; a pivotelement received within said opening, said link element having a recesscommunicating with said opening through a Wall of the latter and saidpivot element having a wall portion opposite said recess and traversedby an opening communicating with said recess, and said pivot elementhaving a recess therein with which said second opening communicates, anda locking member extending through said second opening into each of saidrecesses and of such length that it cannot be freed from either recess,while extending through said second opening, without flexure out of linewith the direction of said second opening.

16. In a chain, chain elements pivotally connected together, a pivotelement for pivotally connecting said chain elements and having arecess, and locking means for said pivot element for locking the sameagainst rotation relative to one of said chain elements includingcommunicating openings in said pivot element and said one of said chainelements, a locking portion received in said openings for interlockingsaid pivot element and said one of said chain elements, said lockingmeans including another portion exible relative to said locking portionand arranged in the recess in said pivot element for holding saidlocking portion in locking position, said flexible portion when exedpermitting release of said locking portion from the opening in said oneof said chain elements.

17. In a chain, chain elements pivotally connected together, a pivotelement for pivotally connecting said chain elements and having arecess, said pivot element and one of said chain elements havingopenings disposed in registry, and a locking device including lockingmeans disposed in said openings for locking said pivot element againstrotation relative to said one of said chain elements, said lockingdevice also including flexible means arranged within said recess in saidpivot element for holding said locking means in locking positionandflexible to eiiect release of said locking means from the opening insaid one of said chain elements.

18. In a chain, a, link element having a bore therein, a -pivot pinelement received in said bore, and means for holding said pivot pinelement from longitudinal withdrawal from said bore and preventingrotation thereof in said bore including a locking member which extendswhen in locking position generally diametrically with respect to thepivot pin element, and which includes portions which extend, when saidlocking member ,is in locking position, respectively outwardly beyondone side of said pivot pin element and, in the opposite direction, asubstantial distance towards the opposite side of said pivot pinelement, and which has cooperating therewith at points spaced fromthelrelatively remote ends of said portions thereof means for holdingthe same against translational movement relative to said pivot pinelement in a direction longitudinally of said pivot pin element, saidlink element having a recess for receiving the projecting portion ofsaid locking member, said recess communicating with said bore through acircumferential Wall of the latter, and said pivot pin element formed,in the portion thereof which is received within the bore in said linkelement when the parts are in assembled relation, to receive theremaining portion of said locking member.

HARRY I-I. VANDERZEE.

